4. Main Images
The preferred reading of this main image is that Katy
Perry is a strong, dominant and independent young
woman. We can tell this by the way she has positioned
herself and by her stern facial expression. She is also
looking directly at the camera suggesting she is not
shy, this is known as direct mode address this also
helps to create a connection with the audience as they
feel they are personally being addressed.
However, the oppositional reading of this is that Katy
is being objectified and the long shot has confirmed
this reading as she is wearing very little clothing and
shows off her body. This is an example of the male
gaze theory, this helps to entice the male audience as
well as the female audience. The male audience would
buy the magazine to see more of her and the female
audience would by it as they will be inspired by her
beauty, perfect body and confidence.
In regards to the layout and theme she is at central on
the page showing she is the main focus through the
magazine, a symbolic sign of this is the fact that she is
covering the masthead (most important).
5. Main Image
This magazine is featuring Cheryl Cole, again the
magazine uses an oppositional sign: male gaze
theory. The image has been sexualised as she is
dripping with water, which may have some deeper
connotations to fulfil sexual desires.
The medium close up gives us a wider view of her
face. She looks stern and seductive, her expression is
very alluring, showing the iconic sign that she is
assertive and independent. However, the
oppositional reading of this is that this look is done
purposely to draw in the male target audience of 17-
30.
The lighting has made her look quite pale to
highlight the eyeliner under her eyes to draw effect.
Also, her lips are parted which draws attention to
her lips. She also has a clenched fist which
represents power and aggression which is something
that is stereotypically related to the target audience
of males. This familiarity will help attract them.
Nevertheless, it is quite ironic as Chery is known as
the ‘nations sweetheart’ yet in this picture she is
looking very fierce and provocative.
6. Colours
The main colours used in this magazine are pink,
black and white. This colour scheme is extremely
effective as the colours compliment each other and
its professional. The pink helps attract the main
target audience: ‘females’. The shade of pink is like
a ‘hot pink’ which gives it a more mature effect
rather than having a light baby pink. Also, the
clothes Katy is wearing has a streak of pink I similar
to the pink used for the texts. This helps relate the
text to the image and it balances out the colour
pallet on the page.
Typography
The typography used in the masthead is serif
font, it is very bold which makes it stand out
in order to catch the eyes of the audience. on
the rest of the page they have used the same
font throughout, this makes it look a lot more
professional as there is not too many things
going on at once. The font they have chosen
to use is in block capitals, this makes it easier
to read and can also be more powerful
7. Typography
ColoursThe colours used in the magazine mainly consist
of dark, dominating colours such as blacks, grey,
reds etc. these colours symbolise danger,
aggression and power, all of which are directed
at the target audience. the colour red, links back
to the sex appeal, as it is a colour that
represents sexiness, this is an example of a
indexical sign.
The main colour scheme is black white and red,
very bold and dominating colours. It is also very
professional which attracts their older audience.
The masthead for q is very original as it is just a
letter. This gives it a unique representation. The
typography used mainly consists of large, bold
sans serif font. Tis font helps it to stand out
more and is clear to read which makes it more
professional. There seems to be only one type
of font used which makes it a lot more tidy and
more professional, this preferred reading is put
across to the audience clearly.
8. Language
The language used in blender draws us in more as an audience as they exaggerate more
‘must have’ songs in bold to draw emphasis and get it into our head. Also, they also have a
skyline which says in bold ‘free downloads’ this is to emphasis the free in the sentence as
people love getting things for free. It has also symbolised its importance as the text covers
the main image of Katy Perry suggesting it is of more importance.
You could also say that the language used in Blender is quite in formal ‘ kiss ‘n’ tell… babe’
and ‘weezer!‘ the preferred reading of this is that the magazine is a cool, relaxing up to date
magazine. The informal language makes the audience more relaxed and at ease as they also
use this type of language.
9. Layout
The layouts for both magazines are very similar. They both have the main image in the
centre, then all the text surrounds and compliments the image. This suggests that the people
in the main image are the focal point and are the most important. They are both vertically
symmetrical, this makes the magazine look more tidy, even and professional, they do this to
attract their target audience as it is more easy on the eye. Most magazines have their
masthead at the top centre like Blender has. However, others like Q have them in different
places, this helps them stand out from other magazines in order to be more recognisable. All
the text surrounds the main images, the preferred reading of this is that the celebrity is at
the centre and everything else comes second.
12. Double page spread
This double page spread feature Florence. The
layout is deigned so on one page there is a long
shot of her and the other page includes text. She
is placed centre of the page and she is directly
addressing the reader through eye contact.
Florence is positioned on a stool and is wearing
black head to toe. The black helps to stand out
more and also makes the text stand out as they are both black. She has one hand over her
raised leg. The hand emphasis her legs, which may have been done to attract the male
audience (oppositional reading). In a light grey colour there is bold text saying ‘USA’ because
it is very big, it suggests that it is very significant and that the feature involves this aspect.
Normally, the bigger something is the more importance and relevance it has. A deeper
connotation of this could be that the USA is a very big place, which explains why it is bigger
than the rest of the text. It is quite ironic how in the background it says ‘USA’ in bold letter
but there is a cloth on the stool which has England colours. The typography for ‘D’ is script
font (like handwriting) this is also the same as ‘got the love’ this font makes it very quirky and
individual, which makes it stand out even more on the page’.
13. Double page spread
Again, this double page spread has the same
layout: main image on one side and text on
the other. This layout makes it look very
professional. The main image of Alexander
Burke shows she is oozing in confidence and
authority. Her hand is placed on her hip
showing authority, the preferred reading of
this is that she is a confident, sassy lady. She is
looking directly at the audience, this is great
for making the audience feel more involved.
In the medium shot, we can see that the clothes she is wearing is shiny and revealing from
the bottom half. The text is organised into 3 equal columns. The main colour scheme is
black and pink which are two colours that look exceptionally well together. There are 3
main bits of text that are in pink, this helps bring some brightness to the page. The
typography is in serif font, it looks more professional.
